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With Rhys?

The thought took her aback. With the miracle of birth happening right before her eyes, she had completely forgotten about her own issues. Her issues seemed quite insignificant in comparison. At least, not worthy of Lilian’s attention.

Was Isabel ready to forgive Rhys for his behavior and start working on conceiving a babe? Did she even have a choice? He needed an heir, and she was his wife. It’s not like she could divorce him for his rude behavior.

“May I have her back?” Lilian asked, and Isabel smiled.

“I think I’d like to keep her,” she joked. “But I doubt she would be amenable to the idea.”

Lilian chuckled. “I think my husband would protest too.”

Isabel brought the babe to her friend and placed her on her chest. “What are you going to name her?”

Lilian smiled. “I thought I’d name her Isabel… if you don’t mind.”

Isabel’s smile turned into a grin. “I would be honored.”

Looking at Lilian, lying contentedly with her babe, Isabel had a sudden urge to see Millicent. She glanced at the window and gasped in horror. It was already dark!

She’d missed supper, and most likely, she’d missed Millicent’s bedtime too!

Did Millie miss her? Was she asking for her? Her heart squeezed as she started to hurriedly collect her items and dress to leave.

“Where are you going, my lady?” Lilian’s husband asked.

“I need to get home. It is late. I didn’t even notice how late it had gotten!”

“But you can’t go now,” Lizzy, Lilian’s oldest daughter, interjected. “It is raining. And the clouds are so ominous. Surely it is going to storm.”

Just then, lightning split the sky, and thunder followed. The horses whinnied, and the dogs started barking, cursing at the sky.

“All the more reason for me to leave now,” Isabel insisted. “Before the storm starts in earnest.”

She was not about to leave her family wondering what had happened to her. And she didn’t want to spend the night away from Millicent.

Was Millie afraid of the storm?

She didn’t even know the answer. But she knew for certain that Millie would be worried about Isabel if she did not return home. And maybe Rhys would be worried, too.

Chapter 25

Rhys rushed out of the house and into the deluge. He mounted the horse that the stable boy had prepared for him and ventured out to look for Isabel.

Where had the obstinate woman gone in such weather? How far away did she get before the horse threw her? Was she now wandering in the storm?

He did not want to think of a more horrifying possibility, but the image of her lying on the ground, her lifeless body being drummed by the rain, did not leave his mind.

Rhys had cursed himself for his behavior early in the day. He had cursed himself for not checking on her, for not telling her that he was not angry with her. He had cursed himself for not knowing who his wife would turn to in her darkest hour.

He rode toward the village at a sedate pace. He didn’t want to pass Isabel if he hurried too much, but he impatiently clenched his hands on the reins because he wanted to find her as soon as he could.

It seemed like an eternity passed as he scoured the road with no luck. The lightning lit the sky just then, illuminating the lone figure walking down the road toward him.

He jumped off the horse, almost falling as he slid against the wet ground and ran toward her. She looked up just then and peered under her bonnet, and Rhys’s heart soared.

Isabel.

He dashed toward her and took her by her shoulders. Her bonnet was soaked, and her skirts were not only wet but covered with mud. She was wearing a strange cloak, which was also soaked to the brim. Her teeth chattered, and her lips trembled as she watched him with her wide, beautiful, blue eyes.